MMR- DS has caught mumps despite being up to date with his MMR immunisations

[Sailonby]

Just after some advice really from anyone who has any experience of the MMR not working. DS aged 5 is currently recovering from a nasty bout of the mumps. He had the MMR at 12 months and 3 years, but as I now understand it is not always effective. My question is, does that mean he is also vulnerable to measles and rubella if the vaccine failed? Should I look into him getting a 3rd vaccine? I will ask the GP this question when we go back for followup but when she made the diagnosis she said she had not seen this happen before so I would welcome advice from anyone with knowledge of this. TIA

[dementedpixie]

I don't think the vaccine failed, it's just that the reduction in mumps cases is not as good as the reduction for measles and rubella. Think I read it's about 90% effective for mumps (97% for measles and over 97% for rubella)

[Sailonby]

Thanks pixie that does make sense. I guess we were just unlucky!

[Millipedewithherfeetup]

A blood test would be able to confirm for sure for you...ask your GP if they would authorise for you to book in. (Dr will be able to prescribe some numbing cream to put on an hour or so before bloods being taken. )

[YeOldeTrout]

I'd probably choose another MMR jab over blood test. Taking blood hurts ime.

[Sailonby]

Thanks all I will see what the GP says about blood test/mmr.

[OwlMother]

One dose of MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles, 78% effective against mumps, and 97% effective against rubella. Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective against measles and 88% effective against mumps.

DS1 (19) is at uni and has mumps. Apparently a large outbreak there at the moment. Been told he shouldn't worry about being likely to get measles.

[Knitclubchatter]

Where I’m from the public health nurses are much more up to date on the policies and protocols for immunizations than dr’s.

[caughtinanet]

If the %ages above are independent of each other you're statistically very unlikely for it not be effective for any of the 3 but clearly it's possible.

Personally I wouldn't do anything but maybe ask your GP for advice